Cap table software
A category of software, with Carta as the leading example, used by private companies to manage their equity, including shares, options, and investor records.
First Mentioned
1/5/2026, 5:25:56 AM
Last Updated
1/5/2026, 5:30:43 AM
Research Retrieved
1/5/2026, 5:30:43 AM
Summary
Cap table software is a specialized financial technology designed to track a company's ownership structure, including equity dilution and the value of shares across various investment rounds. It serves as a vital tool for founders, investors, and employees to manage stock options, 409A valuations, and regulatory compliance. While the market has been dominated by providers like Carta, the industry recently faced a significant crisis of trust when Carta was accused of misusing private cap table data to support its secondary markets business. This event, discussed by tech commentators Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, and David Sacks, has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the SaaS business model in this sector, specifically its lack of network effects and diminishing pricing power. Consequently, the market is seeing a shift toward more transparent alternatives and a rise in competitors like Pulley, Cake Equity, and Qapita that emphasize founder-friendly features and data security.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Target Users
Founders, investors, employees, and legal/finance teams
Core Features
409A valuations, scenario modeling, SAFE issuance, and compliance tracking
Primary Function
Analysis of ownership percentages, equity dilution, and equity value across investment rounds
Market Challenges
Diminishing pricing power and limited network effects in SaaS models
Notable Providers
Carta, Pulley, Cake Equity, Qapita, EquityList, and Shareworks
Timeline
- The All-In podcast discusses the Carta scandal involving the misuse of user data for its secondary markets business and the resulting breach of trust. (Source: All-In Podcast Episode 161)
2024-01-12
- Industry guides identify Pulley and Cake Equity as top-tier equity management solutions for the 2025 fiscal year, emphasizing founder-friendly tools. (Source: V7 Go / Cake Equity / Pulley Guides)
2025-01-01
- Qapita is projected as a leading cap table management tool for the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on cross-border compliance. (Source: Qapita 2026 Guide)
2026-01-01
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaCapitalization table
A capitalization table or cap table is a table providing an analysis of a company's percentages of ownership, equity dilution, and value of equity in each round of investment by founders, investors, and other owners.
Web Search Results
- Best Cap Table Management Software [2025 Guide] - V7 Go
## Your 5 Step Guide to Choosing Cap Table Management Software Selecting a cap table management platform directly shapes how smoothly you can raise capital, issue equity, stay compliant, and communicate with investors and employees. The right choice becomes a quiet but essential backbone of your company’s financial operations. The wrong one can lock you into clumsy workflows, unexpected costs, and painful migrations at the least convenient time. [...] ## Cap Table Management Software Guide Cap table management has grown up alongside the startup ecosystem. It started with founders and lawyers hacking everything together in Excel, then moved into early web tools and equity admin platforms like Solium/Shareworks and Capshare that tried to standardise option plans and reporting for more mature companies. [...] In a traditional workflow, answering this requires building a complex Excel model with multiple tabs and formulas. With modern cap table software, this becomes a simple query. You input the new round parameters, and the system instantly calculates the dilution impact across all share classes. You can even use AI financial statement analysis tools to pull current data from your own reports to inform these models.
- Best Cap Table Management Software for Startups in 2025
When evaluating cap table software options, you want a cap table software that meets your startup requirements and budget, and will scale with you as you grow. Early- to mid- stage startups have different requirements from a series C company. Look for features and pricing that are useful for your stage of growth. Non-negotiables are intuitive visualization tools, compliance features, stakeholder communication tools, equity issuance management, security controls, and scenario modeling [...] We take pride in designing a cap table management software that is founder-focused and employee-friendly. At its core, Cake Equity is driven by a mission to help startups turn their cap tables into a powerful tool to accelerate team motivation through meaningful equity ownership. [...] ### What are the main benefits of using a cap table software? Cap table software eliminates error-prone spreadsheets, automates complex equity calculations, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides clear visibility into ownership structure for all stakeholders. It is particularly valuable for equity compensation management and for raising capital, both are necessary for business growth. ### How much does a cap table software cost?
- Top 6 cap table management software tools for startups 2026 - Qapita
Cap table management software should make your equity clearer, not more complicated. The best tools give you a single, reliable view of ownership, handle stock options and common funding instruments, and let you test how new rounds will affect dilution before you commit. As your startup grows, it also helps to have basic reporting for tax and accounting, role based access, and simple ways to communicate equity to employees and investors. [...] ## 6 Top cap table management software for startups ### 1.Qapita Qapita is a cap table management software that keeps every round, grant, and stakeholder on the same page, so you always know exactly who owns what and how the next funding will change it. It is built to feel simple for founders while giving finance and legal teams the structure they need for audits, board meetings, and investor updates. [...] Cake Equity is built as a founder friendly, employee friendly cap table management software that keeps the basics clear and approachable. It helps startups turn their cap table into a practical tool for tracking ownership, issuing stock options, updating investors, and using simple scenarios to plan future rounds, rather than just a static spreadsheet. #### Who it is best for
- Best Equity Management Software for 2026 (With Reviews)
💡 Summary: Carta provides cap table management and investor relations tools for US startups. With a 4.4/5 G2 rating and strong adoption in the US venture ecosystem, the platform serves companies managing multiple investors. Pricing starts with a free plan and scales with company stage and features. > Before You Choose: Finding Software That Fits Your Company Stage [...] With a 4.8/5 G2 rating from more than 110 reviews, Cake delivers on its promise of user-friendly cap table management. The platform offers global coverage with a focus on making equity comprehensible for employees who may be receiving their first equity grants. Key Features [...] 💡 Summary: Qapita is positioned for Asia-Pacific companies that need cap table and ESOP management with strong cross-border compliance and employee-facing tools. Its 4.6/5 G2 rating and multiple usability and relationship badges reflect consistently positive feedback on ease of use, equity payslips and dashboards, and responsive support, with tiered pricing that spans from a free Basic plan to quote-based offerings for larger and listed businesses.
- Best Equity Management Software: What CFOs Need to Know in 2025
Carta offers cap table management for thousands of startups and public companies. It tracks ownership, provides 409A valuations, and supports fundraising rounds. Early-stage teams get starter tools, while growth-stage teams get fundraising modeling, and audit support. However, Carta’s cost might be a tad steep for early-stage companies with limited budgets. There’s no free trial to try out the product beforehand, and some past users also note difficulty cancelling their Carta account. [...] EquityList helps startups manage cap tables, issue grants, and track ownership. It also supports US and global compliance, works across stages, and fits teams who need to raise funds fast. But it skips automations other tools include. EquityList also leaves out HR and payroll integrations, which can slow things down. [...] Pulley is fast and flexible equity management software built for real outcomes. It brings all your cap table management into one view, with tools that adapt as your business grows. Pulley helps your startup with the hard stuff, like SAFE issuance, scenario forecasting, and building audit-ready reports. That means you get clean records, clear options, and fast answers when investors ask.